Stevenage play host to Mansfield Town on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that they need to stay relevant in the playoff race.
At a time when Stevenage sit in 11th position in the League One table, Mansfield are down in 16th and requiring points to avoid a relegation battle.
Match preview
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Having started the calendar year with just three wins in 10 matches, Stevenage cannot expect to feature in the end-of-season playoffs at this stage.
Nevertheless, two wins from their last three outings - albeit against relegation-threatened teams - have at least kept Alex Revell's side in the conversation.
Two 1-0 victories have been earned at Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United respectively, Stevenage having now impressively won four of their last six away fixtures.
However, despite posting eight triumphs from 18 games at the Lamex Stadium, just one success has been registered since the start of 2025.
As such, Stevenage head into this encounter trailing sixth place by 11 points, albeit with a game in hand when they have a total of 12 remaining.
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Meanwhile, Nigel Clough is perhaps only keeping his job at Mansfield through respect and reputation alone given that his team have failed to win in 11 matches.
Furthermore, eight defeats had come in nine games to end any lingering hopes of a playoff bid, but the Stags deserve some credit for picking up draws in their last two fixtures.
A 1-1 draw at Burton Albion was followed by a goalless stalemate at home to Wigan Athletic, results which at least ensured that they are back on track to a certain extent.
That said, they now start a three-game stretch across the space of a week, aware that failure to record their first victory since January 4 will likely see a seven-point gap to the relegation zone reduced.
Team News
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Revell may see no reason to tinker with his Stevenage XI on the back of their victory at Cambridge earlier this week.
Jamie Reid scored his first goal since January 28 to get his side over the line, Revell only calling upon his substitutes from the 81st minute onwards.
Although Louis Appere is closest to a return from injury, this game may come too soon to take a spot among the replacements.
Hiram Boateng and Jordan Bowery are pushing for recalls to the Mansfield starting lineup after being introduced as half-time substitutes against Wigan.
Keanu Baccus and Lucas Akins were both withdrawn at that time and face dropping out in what may prove to be the only two alterations, with Stephen Quinn potentially having to remain patient for another start.
Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Freeman, Sweeney, Piergianni, Butler; King, Thompson, Phillips; Reid, Hanlan, Roberts
Mansfield Town possible starting lineup:
Flinders; Hewitt, Oshilaja, Cargill, McLaughlin; Reed; Bowery, Boateng, Lewis, Vickers; Evans
We say: Stevenage 2-1 Mansfield Town
With Mansfield having at least stopped the rot of late, they theoretically have a greater chance of earning at least another important point. However, we are backing the home side to edge this fixture, potentially via a late goal as they throw caution to the wind.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
